People in the news: DA calls for new trial for Mill

Updated
7:27 am EDT, Thursday, May 23, 2019

FILE - In this April 2, 2019, file photo, rapper Meek Mill speaks at a gathering in Philadelphia to push for drastic changes to Pennsylvania's probation system. Philadelphia's District Attorney's office wants a new trial with a new judge for rapper Meek Mill. Larry Krasner submitted the brief Wednesday, May 22, 2019. He said former Judge Genece Brinkley's court "abused its discretion" after sentencing Mill in 2017 to two to four years in prison for violating an old gun charge. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) less

FILE - In this April 2, 2019, file photo, rapper Meek Mill speaks at a gathering in Philadelphia to push for drastic changes to Pennsylvania's probation system. Philadelphia's District Attorney's office wants a ... more

Photo: Matt Rourke

Photo: Matt Rourke

Image
1of/4

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 4

FILE - In this April 2, 2019, file photo, rapper Meek Mill speaks at a gathering in Philadelphia to push for drastic changes to Pennsylvania's probation system. Philadelphia's District Attorney's office wants a new trial with a new judge for rapper Meek Mill. Larry Krasner submitted the brief Wednesday, May 22, 2019. He said former Judge Genece Brinkley's court "abused its discretion" after sentencing Mill in 2017 to two to four years in prison for violating an old gun charge. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) less

FILE - In this April 2, 2019, file photo, rapper Meek Mill speaks at a gathering in Philadelphia to push for drastic changes to Pennsylvania's probation system. Philadelphia's District Attorney's office wants a ... more

Photo: Matt Rourke

People in the news: DA calls for new trial for Mill

1 / 4

Back to Gallery

Philadelphia's top prosecutor called for a new trial and judge for rapper Meek Mill on Wednesday, saying the former judge who sentenced him abused discretion and has been biased against him.

District Attorney Larry Krasner's office filed a brief questioning Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley's "impartiality," citing her decision to check in on Mill at a homeless shelter where he was doing community service and later criticizing him for not doing more.

Krasner said she improperly referred to her own observations at his sentencing hearing.

"Judge Brinkley personally assumed the role of investigator," the brief says.

Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, became a symbol for criminal justice reform activists after Brinkley sentenced him to 2 to 4 years in prison for minor violations of his probation conditions in a decade-old gun and drug possession case in November 2017.

He spent months in prison before a court ordered him released in April of last year.

Krasner said Mill, 32, should get a new trial before a different judge. He said the court "abused its discretion when it imposed" the sentence on Mill. He had asked for a new trial but his request had been shot down. His appeal efforts continue.

Brinkley has denied any accusations she was biased against Mill during proceedings.

— Associated Press

Craig to have surgery for ankle injury

James Bond is out of commission for a few weeks. Star Daniel Craig is undergoing minor ankle surgery after sustaining an injury while filming the 25th installment in the franchise in Jamaica.

The news came in a tweet from the official James Bond twitter account. The statement says that production will continue during the 51-year-old actor's two-week post-surgery rehabilitation and that the film will stay on track to hit its April 2020 release date.

This is Craig's fifth outing as 007.

— Associated Press

Trump Jr. has book out later this year

Donald Trump Jr. has a book coming out later this year featuring his "views and perspectives" on the political scene and his father's presidency.

Center Street, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, announced Thursday that the book was currently untitled. No exact release date has been set.

Trump Jr. said in a statement that he would highlight "the great achievements" of his father's administration, and write about both those who support him and oppose him. The president's son has spoken often on his father's behalf over the past few years.

Center Street has published other prominent Republicans, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Steve Scalise.

— Associated Press

Williams Jr. offers reward for shotgun

Country music star Hank Williams Jr. is offering a $6,000 reward for his grandfather's missing shotgun.

The singer known for hits including "Family Tradition" has posted a letter online saying he spent time growing up in south Alabama with his grandfather.

The letter says he can't locate the man's old Remington Model 11-48 shotgun, which he wants to pass on.

An attorney for Williams, Steve Smith, says the gun is believed to be lost, not stolen. The reward is being offered with no questions asked.

Smith says the 16-gauge shotgun was likely last seen at a lake cabin or house near Cullman, Ala. He says the reward offer has generated a few tips.

Williams sang about the man who owned the shotgun in his 1973 song "Grandpa Shepherd."

— Associated Press

No charges for Schroder after arrest

Prosecutors have declined to file charges against actor Rick Schroder after an arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said in documents Tuesday that Schroder's girlfriend on May 1 told a 911 operator he punched her at his home in Malibu.

But prosecutors say she was uncooperative with deputies when they arrived, and the next day said she suspected he hit her by accident because she startled him as he was sleeping.

They also declined to file charges after an arrest about a month earlier in an incident that Schroder's girlfriend two days later called "a big misunderstanding."

The 49-year-old Schroder is known for starring in the TV series "Silver Spoons" and "NYPD Blue."

An email to his publicist seeking comment wasn't immediately returned.